TRUE TRANSFORMATION
by Gunman
Disclaimer: I do not own Eva or Transformers
Summary: Shinji recounts the events from when he woke up as an Autobot, to his training, to when he went to meet Misato on the carrier.
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Chapter 4
Flashback
The silver Pontiac Solstice GXP rolled down the open road with four other vehicles, and their human companions inside, in tow. Behind them a large transport carrying the gigantic Unit 02 was seen. Inside the silver car, Misato was just sitting back enjoying someone else driving for a change.
"So, Shinji... tell me what happened with you after you... woke up in this body." Misato said.
"Well.... it's kind hard to explain." Shinji said through the radio.
"Please try. I need to make sense of all this."
"Well... it started after I got out of the steel coffin that the Autobots had placed Jazz in after their battle with the Decepticons a year ago."
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(FLASHBACK, Tranquillity Valley, USA, a week and a half ago)
"But Sam, if he's right, and he is from Tokyo-3, that means Japan, and... we'll I'm kinda light on cash for a plane ticket, not to mention cargo fees." Mikaela said.
Sam looked at Mikaela, then to Jazz/Shinji, and then to Optimus Prime. He turned back to Mikaela.
"I think I know someone who can help." Sam said.
"Who?" Shinji asked.
"Would you believe the Secretary of Defense for the United States?" Sam asked as he dug his phone out of his pocket and dialed a number. "Or actually, his advisor."
While Sam talked to someone on the other end, Shinji just looked back to the Autobots.
"So... what do I do now?" he asked.
"Well... the first thing we need to do is test you out." Optimus said.
"Test me?"
"You might have been a human boy before, but you're an Autobot now." Ratchet explained.
"That means you can do what we do." Ironhide said.
"And we'll show you how to do it." Bumblebee said.
While Shinji was being instructed by the Autobots, Sam clicked off his cellphone and turned back to Mikaela.
"Well?" the girl asked.
"Just got done talking to Maggie. Secretary Keller will be waiting for us at the Pentagon in a couple days." Sam said.
"Alright." she said as she turned back to see Shinji trying to twist and turn his body into a car, with only partial success.
The partial being he now looked like a car walking around on two large legs.
"Better make that three or four days." Mikaela suggested.
"Right." Sam replied and dug out his cellphone.
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"I'm not getting this!" Shinji groaned as his arms extended from his car-mode body.
"You're not doing too bad, Shinji." Ratchet said to the boy.
Shinji transformed back into his robot mode and huffed. "I've been doing this all day and I don't think I'm getting any better. Why do I keep doing this wrong?" he asked. "I can go from car to robot with no trouble, but I can't change into a car as easy."
"You are new at this, Shinji. It will take you time and practice to master your transformations. You just need to be patient." Ratchet said.
"I'll bet Jazz didn't have this trouble when he was in this body." Shinji mused.
"Don't be so sure." Optimus said, approaching the pair.
"Optimus." Ratchet gasped.
"Sir." Shinji gasped.
"I'll take over from here, Ratchet." the Autobot leader said.
"Yes, sir." the Autobot medic said as he transformed and headed out to locate Bumblebee and the others.
"You seem distracted, Shinji." Optimus said.
"Well.... wouldn't you be? I mean.... I'm a human being in the body of a giant robot." Shinji said. "I'm a little surprised you aren't more upset with me."
"Why would I be upset with you? You didn't do this on purpose."
"I'm still not sure what happened." Shinji said, continuing to stare at his four-clawed hands.
"We'll figure that out once we get to Tokyo-3." Optimus said. "For that we need Secretary Keller's help. As for right now... let me tell you a story."
"Story?"
"When Megatron started his war for Cybertron, everything changed for us. We Autobots, once a peaceful race, were thrown into warfare and violence against the Decepticons. We were forced to fight in order to survive. Like many of us, Jazz didn't like fighting, but he did because he valued life like all Autobots do. He was passionate, but also compassionate. In a way, you remind me of him."
"I do?"
"Yes. I admit you and Jazz are different in personality, but you are both good people. You would have gotten along well with each other." he said, suddenly realizing the irony of that statement. "Anyway, Jazz became my second in command when he saved my life from Starscream, who was Megatron's second at the time. He was able to put aside his own fears and worries and just do what he had to do."
"Put aside his fears. Do what he had to do." Shinji wondered. "It sounds pretty simple."
"It is. When Jazz first came online, he too was new to the ability to transform from robot to vehicle-mode. Every transformer goes through this. Sort of like.... riding a bicycle, I believe the expression is.
"Or turning into one." Shinji retorted.
"You'll be fine Shinji. Just don't think too hard about it." Optimus said.
"Don't think...." Shinji sighed and suddenly transformed from robot-mode into car-mode. "...about it." he suddenly realized something. "Hey! I did it!"
"Excellent, Shinji! Excellent." Optimus smiled.
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Once Shinji had the basics of transforming down, it was easy to just go from robot to car and back without trouble. But he was also taught to do it at full speed while on a highway or stretch of road. He was actually surprised at how often that came up in their line of work.
The whole driving thing wasn't too bad, as he had Misato's rather poor and hectic example of driving to follow. While speed wasn't really his thing, he was able to pull off some impressive acceleration, eventually proving to be faster than Bumblebee, which wasn't much of a stretch, since their body-types were slightly different and Jazz's body was smaller.
Bumblebee, being the closest to Shinji, trained him in speed and agility. Ironhide taught him how to use his weapons such as his machine gun, shield, and his special magnetic powers that came from his right hand. And both Optimus and Ratchet had trained him in his transformations.
Thanks to them both, Shinji found it actually easier than he thought, since his original body hadn't been made for such reconfigurations, as his bones, joints, organs and muscles just didn't shift, adjust and realign that way, his new mechanical one did.
At initial problem was at first he thought that he would have to monitor and control very single part of his new body in order to transform from a robot to a car. But thanks to the Autobots he was able to do it without much trouble.
With that done, Shinji was educated in how to use his other special abilities. Namely a grappling claw in his left hand, wirelessly connect to the Internet, and even recharge his body via sunlight and electrical energy.
Amongst these abilities he also found out how quick and agile his new body was, at least in terms of being a robot body comparable to the other Autobots. Shinji also found it rather ironic that as he had not been the biggest and strongest teenager when he was human, it was pretty much the same now that he was a robot. Not that he could do anything about it, mind you.
Once Shinji had gotten a handle on his new body, he and the Autobots headed out to Washington DC where they were to meet with the Secretary of Defense. It was during the trip that Ironhide and Bumblebee had told Shinji of their fight against the Decepticons for the All-Spark cube, which was now only a small fragment in Optimus's care. Shinji in turn told them of his previous battles with the Angels, and as much as he could about his life.
Needless to say, the group was somewhat impressed at the boy pilot's accomplishments thus far.
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Along with Sam and Mikaela the group drive all night from Tranquility to the Pentagon. Which was pretty easy considering the Autobots were the ones driving, and not their human allies.
When they rolled into the Pentagon parking lot they were met by Secretary Keller, Maggie and Glen.
Shinji took in the three humans who were eyeing him with curiosity when he arrived. The older man who reminded him somewhat of Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki, the attractive blond who reminded him somewhat of Dr Akagi, and the heavy-set African-American who reminded him of no one.
Optimus said, turning to Shinji. "Tell them your name."
"My name is Shinji Ikari, Third Child of NERV." Shinji said.
"What? That's impossible!" Glen gasped.
"Why?" Maggie asked.
"Because Shinji Ikari is a fourteen year old Japanese boy, a HUMAN fourteen year old Japanese boy who pilots a giant robot called an Evangelion. How the hell did he get inside your dead buddy?" Glen asked.
"We don't know." Sam asked.
"And just how do you know so much about this boy?" Keller asked Glen.
Glen smiled at the Secretary of Defense. "Internet?"
Keller shook his head at that. Hackers, he thought.
"This presents a unique situation." Ratchet said.
"How so?" Maggie asked.
"According to Shinji, his organization was preforming some kind of experiment at their base in Tokyo-3." Optimus said.
"An experiment that we believe ultimately turned a human being into an energy form similar to our own." Ratchet explained.
"And the next thing he knows he's walking around inside Jazz's body. And he's not piloting it. He is it!" Sam added.
Keller looked pensive.
"Sir? Is something wrong?" Maggie asked, noticing the intense look the man possessed.
"NERV has been the subject of some rather intense debate in the UN." Keller explained. "A lot of suspicious activities and not a lot of explanation."
"Well, that seems to be the place to start." Sam said.
"If this secret organization has discovered a means to turn human beings into energy that can take over the bodies of Autobots..." Ratchet started to say.
"They could do the same with the Decepticons!" Ironhide stated.
"You mean those bodies that were dropped into the Laurentian Abyss?" Maggie asked.
"You mean... Megatron, all of them?" Keller asked.
"Not good! Not good!" Glen rambled, running his hands through his hair.
"We have to get to Tokyo-3 and fast." Mikaela said.
"Fine. But if we're going, we're going with back-up." Keller said as he dug out his phone.
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Keller contacted Captain William Lennox and his team of Army Rangers who helped defeat the Decepticons alongside the Autobots a year ago.
At first Lennox was relieved that the Decepticons weren't back, but rather curious at what situation had arisen regarding the Autobots, including the one that had died and was now walking around.
"So.... you're telling us that this Japanese boy named... Shinji... somehow got turned into energy and got put inside the body of Optimus Primes deceased lieutenant." Captain Lennox said as he and his team arrived at the Pentagon.
"That's about the size of it, captain." Keller said, leading the Rangers to the garage. "We're planning to head out to Japan to investigate this, but we thought it best to go prepared."
"Anything we can do to help, Mr Secretary."
"Uh, sir?" Epps asked.
"Yes?" Keller replied.
"When do we get to meet this new guy?"
"You mean, Shinji?"
"Yes, sir."
"Actually.... they're here now."
The Ranger team stopped when they saw five, not four, giant robots standing around. The subject of their conversation was currently talking to the dark-skinned computer hacker.
"So.... how did you beat the last Angel?" Glen asked.
"I had to use a modified sniper rifle that used all the electricity in Japan in order to kill it." Shinji said, kneeling down in order to talk closer to the computer hacker.
"Wow! And you hit this thing with only one shot?" Glen asked.
"Actually it was the second shot that did it. When I fired the first shot so did the Angel. Our beams kinda... knocked each other off course. I barely managed to get a second shot out before Rei's shield collapsed."
"What kind of weapon was it again?" Ironhide asked, suddenly interested in a weapon that could take down a giant monster and took all the electricity of an entire nation to power.
"A modified sniper rifle. I think Misato said that it was created from the JSSDF's prototype laser cannon, or something. I never got the specifics of it." Shinji said.
"Hmm. Interesting." the tough-looking Autobot said.
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After the group had talked and gotten reacquainted, especially with Shinji, Keller had a special video-screen communication relay set up in the garage of the Pentagon which he intended to use to call NERV and inform them of their intentions.
The screen came on, connecting with NERV, as Shinji came over to watch as the SecDef spoke.
"Hello?" Keller said. "This is Defense Secretary John Keller of the United States. Am I speaking to Misato Katsuragi?" he said into the view screen.
(I'm Misato Katsuragi. How can I help you, sir?) the purple-haired woman asked from the other side of the world.
"Actually, Captain, I think I might be able to help you." the SecDef said.
Keller noted the confused expression on the woman's face.
(Help us?) Misato asked.
(Perhaps we should get the commander.) Ritsuko suggested.
"Actually I was instructed to contact you directly, Captain Katsuragi." Keller said.
He noticed the woman's eyes widened in shock. (Me? Uh... that's kinda flattering, but why?)
"It has to do with a young man named Shinji Ikari." he replied.
(WHAT?!!) Everyone in NERV gasped.
(Shinji's Alive?) Misato shouted.
(He's In America?) Ritsuko gasped.
(How Is That Possible?) Maya queried.
"We're working on several theories right now, but in order to get to the bottom of this, I believe a face-to-face would be appropriate." Keller said.
(Yes! Of Course! Absolutely! Anything You Need!) Misato shouted quickly.
(MISATO!) Ritsuko shouted.
(Ritz! If they've got Shinji then we need to get him back here right now!) she shouted.
Off to the side, Shinji was actually smiling, happy that Misato actually missed him.
(How do we know they even have Shinji?) the blond scientist said into the screen. (Can we speak with him, please?) she asked Keller.
Keller turned his head and worded something to Shinji, but Shinji said nothing, drawing his four-clawed hand across his neck in a 'No Way' gesture, telling Keller he didn't want to talk to anyone in NERV right now. Keller pointed at the screen, but
"I'm afraid Shinji doesn't want to talk right now." Keller said.
(What? Why?) Misato asked.
"Personal reasons." he said.
(Personal? Can you give us some indication that you actually have him? Because this is getting rather suspicious.) Ritsuko said, standing next to Misato.
"I can actually. Shinji told us that you, Captain Katsuragi, took him in when he first arrived in Tokyo-3. You showed up late but saved him right before the Angel nearly stepped on him." Keller said.
Misato gasped. That statement alone told her that Shinji was alright.
(Alright! Makoto! Get me a plane! I'm going to the US to pick Shinji up myself and bring him back!) Keller and the others heard Misato shout to the bespectacled tech.
"Actually, that won't be necessary, or possible, captain." Keller said to the woman.
(What? Why?) she asked.
"We've discussed this with the UN and the president himself has authorized the Pacific Fleet to pick us up in New Los Angeles in order to transfer Shinji back to Japan via aircraft carrier." he said.
(What? The UN? The President? Why? Taking a plane would be faster!) Misato argued.
"Under normal circumstances, yes. However, a situation has developed that makes that impossible. Therefore, we'll be bringing him back to Japan under military escort." he explained.
(We? Who is we?) Ritsuko asked.
"A group of individuals who have experience dealing with... unusual situations." He explained.
(Unusual situations? A human boy disappearing from Japan and somehow ending up in America. Yeah! That's what I'd call unusual.) Misato grumbled.
"We'll keep you updated as best we can, but by our estimates it will take us about a week in order to get to you." Keller said.
(Can't I fly out to meet you?) Misato asked, anxious to see Shinji and the boy could tell.
(That won't be possible, Captain.) Gendo Ikari said as he stepped onto the bridge. (And why was I not informed that the United States Secretary of Defense was calling us?)
Instantly Keller realized that this man was Gendo Ikari, especially when he saw Shinji cringe a little.
(Because he was instructed to contact Misato directly, sir.) Keller heard Ritsuko say.
(For what purpose?) Gendo asked.
(It has to do with Shinji.) Misato said.
(Where is the Third Child?) the commander asked.
Shinji bowed his head, as if somewhat sad that his own father referred to him in such an indifferent manner. Keller noticed this and frowned at the man.
(In America.) Ritsuko said.
Gendo's eyebrow twitched. (What? How?)
(We don't know. But the UN has assigned a military escort to bring him back.) Misato said.
(Apparently aboard the very ship they're transferring Unit 02 aboard.) Ritsuko said.
(No possibility of sending the Third Child back via aircraft?) Gendo asked.
(No, sir.)
(For what reason?)
"Top Secret Classified. I'm sure you can understand that." Keller said, interrupting them.
Gendo said nothing, just glared at the man. Even with Gendo's position in NERV, Keller knew that he couldn't do anything against the United Nations authority.
(Very well.) Gendo said, turning to Katsuragi. (Until the Fleet approaches within range of helicopter travel you will proceed as normal, captain.)
Misato signed heavily. (Understood, sir.) she said, though it was obvious she was upset at this.
However, Shinji kept a close auditory sensor open, noticing not only his father's complete lack of concern, but Misato's sigh of disappointment in this affair. He could tell that she wanted to go out and get him herself, but what was he to tell her once she was on U.S. soil and he was still a giant robot? No, he couldn't do that. He had just gotten used to being a giant robot, and he was in no way ready, just yet, to tell Misato about this.
"Very good. We'll see you within a week's time then. Secretary Keller out!" The man said as the screen went dead. The SecDef turned to Shinji and just looked at the boy. "Are you alright?"
"I've been better." Shinji replied.
"Rough life?"
"You could say that."
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After the meeting at the Pentagon, Secretary Keller lead the group to New Los Angeles where they boarded the 'Over the Rainbow'.
The trip itself was fairly long and somewhat boring. It was made less boring though, with the thought that the cargo they were hauling was incredibly special.
Also, since the group was going to Japan, Glen had managed to acquire a special learning program that would teach them Japanese. Unlike the Autobots who could learn all of Earth's languages via the World Wide Web, the humans had to learn Japanese through subliminal recordings amongst other media such as reading.
For Shinji it was mostly a waiting game, wanting to keep quite and be unobtrusive. That wasn't really possible as the Autobots kept trying to engage Shinji in conversation.
But it was also aboard the large air craft carrier that Shinji was introduced to one Asuka Langley Sohryu, an attractive redheaded girl Shinji's own age, who was apparently the Second Child of NERV on her way to Japan along with her Unit 02. She had been onboard the carrier when Shinji and the other Autobots had been picked up, along with Keller, his special ops team, and the special civilians that traveled with them.
Asuka had thought it a little odd that the group was traveling with them, and what's more had brought a group of non-military vehicles with them. Not that Asuka was complaining about the cars, dreaming of the day when Kaji would take her out for a drive, or a drive-in.
It was a week in full when the group finally made it near Japanese waters and Misato's helicopter was able to reach them.
This, along with the Angel battle, ended Shinji's flashback of the whole affair.
(END FLASHBACK)
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"And then your car was reported destroyed, and I agreed to be your temporary car, and then we rode out here, and...." Shinji said through the radio.
"Right, right, right." Misato said, leaning back in the rather comfortable leather drivers seat. "I still can't believe all this."
"It's not like I can change this." he said.
"You should have let me kill Ritsuko when I had the chance." Misato huffed.
"Misato!"
"ARGH! And what's your father going to say about this?"
"Uh.... my father." he said in a monotone voice.
"Yeah?" Misato asked, noticing the change in mood.
"Did he.... seem concerned about me?" he asked.
Misato was hesitant at first, trying to form the right words.
However, this reluctance to speak told Shinji everything he needed to know.
"He didn't... did he?" Shinji asked.
"I'm sorry, Shinji-kun. He just.... he seemed more concerned that you weren't here to pilot Eva." she said honestly.
"I see." he said as he continued to drive back to Tokyo-3.
The drive itself was continued in silence, the purple-haired woman just trying to get a handle on all this and what she would do now. The most obvious problem was how was she going to get Shinji and the Autobots into NERV, to say nothing about her apartment. She didn't feel like leaving the boy in the parking stall of her apartment, which meant she would need a new house, or apartment or maybe something else.
I wonder if I should get a maintenance garage or something. Misato thought. I probably could, seeing as how a lot of people are leaving Tokyo-3, including mechanics.
She'd talk to the commander later about that as the pair continued on towards Tokyo-3.
"Shinji?"
"Yes?"
"Take a left up here."
The boy did, taking the road that he was instructed, suddenly realizing why the road looked familiar to him. But he didn't realize it until he came to the overlook where Misato had first taken right after his first battle against the Angels.
"Misato... is this..."
"Yes, Shinji-kun. It is."
"I'd almost forgotten how beautiful it was." Shinji said as he stared out over the city.
Especially when you have someone to share it with. Misato thought.
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Author's Notes:
Hope everyone liked this chapter. It was more for the purpose of establishing the pairing, which I have decided is going to be a Shinji/Misato pairing.
I know that sounds a little odd, but I have a plan for that, don't worry.
Also, I'm working on getting the Autobots and their allies into NERV to give Gendo a real headache in time. That won't be until the next chapter of course.
Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed this update.
